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It’s for Tanzania’s green light for the oil pipeline to traverse its territory as well as creating a conducive environment for project implementation

UGANDAN President Yoweri Museveni has saluted the Tanzanian government for allowing the 1,445 Hoima-Tanga crude oil pipeline to traverse its territory as well as creating a conducive environment for the project’s implementation.

Mr Museveni gave the kudos at the weekend during a groundbreaking ceremony to lay a foundation stone of the crude oil pipeline that will transport crude oil from Hoima to Tanga Port in Tanzania.

President John Magufuli, who wound up a three-day official state visit on Saturday, was represented by the minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Augustine Mahiga, who led a team of senior politicians and technocrats.

Addressing a rally in Kabale parish, Buseruka sub-county in Hoima District during the launch of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project on the Ugandan side, Mr Museveni said oil discovery in Uganda was done by local experts who were trained by the Ugandan government.

The laying of the first foundation stone was done at Chongoleani in Tanga Region on the Tanzanian side on August 5, 2017.

Speaking in Kabale, President Museveni asked parents in Uganda to advise their children to study science subjects so that they can supervise the oil business in Uganda for the best interests of their country.

“This project will have many workers who will need jobs, clothes, food and accommodation. Tap such opportunities,” Mr Museveni stressed. In his speech, Dr Mahiga, who spoke on behalf of President Magufuli, commended the efforts being undertaken by President Museveni, especially on research that led to the discovery of oil.

He described him as the best example when it comes to capitalizing on local experts. Dr Mahiga said the pipeline would not only have benefits to Ugandans but the entire East African region and the continent as a whole.

He said Uganda was lucky to have a leader of President Museveni’s calibre, whom he described as a pan-Africanist, statesman, charismatic and confident leader. “He has demonstrated that he is a liberator and a pan-Africanist.

Uganda has had other leaders but it is during his time that he discovered what others had failed,” he said, adding: “He is a president who rewards success, love, commitment and honesty.

Those are the values that Mwalimu Julius Nyerere had. Earlier, Uganda’s Energy minister Irene Muloni said the crude oil pipeline from Hoima district to the Port of Tanga would be the longest in the world and would enhance trade and industry between Uganda and Tanzania.